Bucs could end up getting a great player at No. 7

Posted by Mike Florio on April 9, 2018, 9:42 AM EST

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With the Buccaneers sitting at No. 7 in the first round of the draft and a widespread expectation that as many as four quarterbacks could be taken in the top five picks, the Bucs could end up getting a great player.

So who will it be? Via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, coach Dirk Koetter recently suggested that the secondary will be an area that the team targets in the draft.

“We said at the end of the year, the No. 1 thing we needed to do was get Brent Grimes back and we did that,” Koetter said, via Stroud. “And then, also, Vernon Hargreaves finished the year on [injured reserve]. When you have those two guys coming back plus the experience that Ryan Smith‘s got and Justin Evans coming back at safety — all that said, now that the defensive line has had so many additions, I would think secondary is logical to think that would be an area of target in the draft. And again, I think it’s a strong group in the secondary in this year’s draft class. I know I’ve watched a bunch of guys and there’s a lot of guys I like.”

That doesn’t mean that the Bucs will definitely be taking a defensive back at No. 7, but if four quarterbacks go in the top five picks, and if the two non-quarterbacks are Penn State running back Saquon Barkley and N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb, Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick could be sitting there for the plucking.

Per Stroud, the Buccaneers recently hosted Chubb, Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea, Florida State safety Derwin James, Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander and LSU cornerback Donte Jackson. Whichever way they go, the Bucs will benefit from the possibly run on quarterbacks, emerging with a player who could help elevate the franchise.

14 responses to “Bucs could end up getting a great player at No. 7”

Wrong word. TB would potentially get a “more appealing” or “better odds” player. ANY draft pick could be a “great player”, but some prospects are clearly objectively better than others. You’re trying to see that they could have a higher rated prospect drop to them.

As a big Bucs fan I’m not impressed with Licht or the front office doing the right thing and drafting the best player. He still has the Roberto Aquyo stain that still stings for this franchise. He could have gotten 2 QUALITY players in that draft but didnt because of that bone headed mistake. It’s not Roberto’s fault he drafted that hig…its on the GM & front office.

I hope the Bucs do not mess around if all of the big 3 are gone at 7. Vita Vea at 7 will be a beast for the Bucs. He is mean, nasty and quick. Rashad Penny or Nick Chubb in round two. And hope for a miracle that they get back a 3rd round pick. TThat is all I have. The Bucs always have a way of giving up a high round draft pick and lose a great player. If the Bucs pass on Vea they will be sorry.